Magic mushrooms can alleviate severe depression, trial suggests

Scientists have long been testing the psychedelic properties of mushrooms, but a new trial has found that psilocybin, the mind-altering compound found in ‘magic mushrooms’, can help relieve major depressive disorders. 

Over the course of 12 weeks, participants with treatment-resistant depression were given either 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg of a synthetic form of the psychedelic compound called COMP360,  depending on which they group they were in. The scientists leading the study found that people who took the 25 mg dose saw a reduction in their depressive symptoms. They found no major difference in depressive symptoms between participants taking 10 or 1 mg.

The trial involved 233 participants, making it the largest trial on the subject matter so far. 

While participants reported a decrease in depressive symptoms, 84% of people in the 25 mg group reported other side effects like headache, nausea, and dizziness.

Still, scientists view the results as largely successful and are now ready to test phase 3 of the trial where they will compare the psychedelic treatment to the best treatments currently available for treating depression.